Vegetation fire doused quickly south of Ukiah

Firefighters quickly contained a vegetation fire that broke out near a home off of Robinson Creek Road south of Ukiah Friday afternoon, thanks to a tanker pilot on his way back from another fire, according to CalFire Howard Forest Battalion Chief Todd Patten.

The CalFire tanker pilot was on his way back from a Lake County fire when he spotted smoke off of Highway 253 -- the Boonville Road -- and reported it at 1:55 p.m. July 26.

"We had resources over the fire quickly," Patten said, adding that aid from the combined city of Ukiah Fire Department and Ukiah Valley Fire District also arrived quickly. The fire was under control in less than half an hour, and crews were mopping up hot spots at 2:20 p.m.

"We held it to almost two acres," Patten said. "I thought there was damage to the barn, but that does not appear to be the case."

The barn had a high cinder block foundation, and appeared untouched by the flames that blackened the grass all around it and charred fence posts between it and the also unscathed home on the property.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Patten.

The total response to the fire, between all involved agencies, included a CalFire helicopter, two air tankers, an air attack, four engines and two fire crews.

Patten took the opportunity to remind residents to keep defensible space around their homes where grass is cut and trees are trimmed so that a spreading vegetation fire won't have fuel to burn close to a structure, and to follow all fire regulations.

"We're in the heart of fire season," he said, "and the fields are dry."

Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@ukiahdj.com, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.